'''Antioquia''' is a department in the [[Andino]] region of [[Colombia]]. It is famous for its many coffee plantations. As of 2010 it is advised to stay out of rural areas due to the presence of guerrilla groups like FARC and ELN in northern and nortwestern Antioquia. [http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2010/11/30/dead-injured-landmine-colombia/] Landmines are common in the countryside, making much of the area a danger zone. There are also many paramilitary groups operating in this region.[http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/3170-antioquia-governor-calls-for-investigation-of-ties-between-office-of-envigado-and-hezbollah.html] Due to the high amounts of violence in the region the Australian Foreign Office advises against travelling to Antioquia. This travel warning was issued in December of 2010 [http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/advice/colombia]

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[[Image:IMG 0142.JPG|thumb|El Poblado neighborhood in Medellín]]

==Regions==

==Regions==

==Cities==

==Cities==

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*[[Medellin]] - Considered by many as the best city in Colombia. Medellin is home to beautiful women, the famous yearly "Flower Festival" in August and the first (and still only) metro system in the country: "Metro de Medellin". Home City of Juanes, Fernando Botero and René Higuita. The metropolitan area is surrounded by many small towns which have become virtual suburbs of the city. These include Envigado, Itaguí, Sabaneta and Caldas (south); Bello, Copacabana and Girardota (north). The spread of the city east and west is limited by topography.

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*[[Medellín]] - Considered by many as the best city in Colombia. Medellín is home to the famous yearly "Flower Festival" in August and the first (and still only) metro system in the country: "Metro de Medellín". Home City of Juanes, Fernando Botero and René Higuita. The metropolitan area is surrounded by many small towns which have become virtual suburbs of the city. These include Envigado, Itaguí, Sabaneta and Caldas (south); Bello, Copacabana and Girardota (north). The spread of the city east and west is limited by topography.

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*[[Marinilla, Rionegro, Guarne, and la Ceja]] these are small towns east of Medellin and a popular day trip destination.

==Other destinations==

==Other destinations==

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*[[Granada (Antioquia)|Granada]] is a town at East of Antioquia. It's a zone of water, cool weather, but hot people. In this place you can say "Home, sweet home". Is the cradle of bishop Tiberio de J. Salazar y Herrera.

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[[Image: Town from far JARDIN.jpeg|thumb|300px|print=fullpage|Jardín: A typical small town in Antioquia]]

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* [[Ciudad Bolívar (Colombia)]] and its close neighbour, [[Farallones]] are great small traditional towns surrounded by coffee fincas (plantations), mountains and stunning scenery.

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* Granada is a town at East of Antioquia. It's a zone of water, cool weather, but hot people. In this place you can say "Home, sweet home". It was the cradle of bishop Tiberio de J. Salazar y Herrera.

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* [[Marinilla]], Rionegro, Guarne and La Ceja these are small towns east of Medellín and a popular day trip destination.

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* [[Jardín]] is a beautiful little town 2 hours south of Medellín, with incredible tourist attractions: a gorgeous main plaza, distinctive local architecture amd many country-side activities. Look for the locally produced rainbow trout and coffee to please your senses.

* Antonio Roldán Betancourt ({{IATA|APO}}; {{ICAO|SKLC}}), Formerly Los Cedros. Located in the municipality of Carepa. Serves Apartadó and the Urabá region in the Atlantic side of the department. It is also the heart of the banana growing region. Four airlines connect this airport to Medellín EOH. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Roldán_Betancourt_Airport]

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'''Regional Airports'''

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All located in the North of the department, area with heavy gold mining. Flights originate mostly from Olaya Herrera Airport in Medellín.

you can get around by taxi bus or metro. The metro runs largely along the north-south axis of the city.

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In Medellín you can get around by taxi bus or metro. The metro runs largely along the north-south axis of the city.

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===By cable car===

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Antioquia is mountainous hence '''Cable Cars''' have sprawled in the last 2 decades and are becoming popular for both commuting and tourist transportation. You can ride the ''Metrocables'' in Medellín which are additional lines of the Metro system [http://www.medellininfo.com/metro/metrocable.html] or the countryside cable-cars in many small towns in Antioquia : [[Jardín]], Jericó, Sopetrán, San Andrés de Cuerquia, etc.

==See==

==See==

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[[Image: Andes JARDIN.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Mountains: The Andes are majestic in Antioquia]]

* [[San Jeronimo]], [[Sopetran]] and [[Santa Fe de Antioquia]] - Going north-west from downtown Medellín, you arrive at the longest and newest South American tunnel: 4.7 km. After you pass through that tunnel, you start descending mountains and a few minutes later, you are in San Jeronimo, Antioquia. Cruise it on motorcycle, the fun way, don't be scared because its an awesome experience! Weather here is 25 degrees during the whole year. Very close you will find Sopetran, the Antioquias fruits lovely capital. Finally, you get to Santa Fe de Antioquia, one of the five colonial destinations in Colombia, and the way to the Caribbean. This road will take you to Turbo and to the Panama frontier line - the road is more safe now and is not frequented by guerrillas and paramilitaries anymore.

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* [[Frontino]] further to the west, is a nice town.

==Do==

==Do==

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[[Image: Holy week in Jardin.jpg|thumb|250px|Floats during the Holy Week - displaying Christ and his mother]]

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The Holy Week in many towns of Antioquia is colorful and passionate.

==Eat==

==Eat==

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Bandeja Paisa

==Drink==

==Drink==

==Stay safe==

==Stay safe==

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Act as you would in any large, and potentially unsafe metropolitan area such as Chicago or Sao Paulo.

Act as you would in any large, and potentially unsafe metropolitan area such as Chicago or Sao Paulo.

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*Don't buy drugs, or even ask about them.

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* As of 2010 there are plenty of landmines in the countryside, making much of Antioquia out of bounds for tourists.[http://www.colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/13485-seven-soldiers-killed.html]

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*Do not get in a taxi if there is someone other than the driver in it

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* There are guerrillas of the FARC and ELN active in many rural locations of this department. They will kidnapp for ransom and hold little symphaty for tourists.[http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/10932-antioquia-farc-attacks-leave-3-dead.html]

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*Avoid downtown and Parque Berrio at night.

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*Due to the high amounts of violence in the region the Australian Foreign Office advises against travelling to Antioquia. This travel warning was issued in December of 2010 [http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/advice/colombia]

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*Avoid walking around like you're lost, as this may be noticed by the wrong sort of people; if you are lost step in to a cafe or "tienda", restaurant, ask someone there.

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* Don't buy drugs, or even ask about them.

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*It's best to use ATMs located in exito, carrefour (supermarkets in the medellin area)if you use the ones at the banks

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* Do not get in a taxi if there is someone other than the driver in it

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*Always be aware that you might be followed from ATMs and banks.

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* Avoid downtown and Parque Berrio at night.

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* Avoid walking around like you're lost, as this may be noticed by the wrong sort of people; if you are lost step in to a cafe or "tienda", restaurant, ask someone there.

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* It's best to use ATMs located in Exito, Carrefour, Carulla or Pomona (supermarkets in the Medellín area) or to use the ones inside the banks,

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* Always be aware that you might be followed from ATMs and banks.

==Get out==

==Get out==

{{Outline}}

{{Outline}}

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{{IsIn|Colombia}}

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{{IsPartOf|Andino}}

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[[es:Antioquia]]

[[es:Antioquia]]

[[it:Antioquia]]

[[it:Antioquia]]

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[[pt:Antioquia]]

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[[WikiPedia:Antioquia Department]]

[[WikiPedia:Antioquia Department]]

Revision as of 04:49, 15 January 2013

Antioquia is a department in the Andino region of Colombia. It is famous for its many coffee plantations. As of 2010 it is advised to stay out of rural areas due to the presence of guerrilla groups like FARC and ELN in northern and nortwestern Antioquia. [1] Landmines are common in the countryside, making much of the area a danger zone. There are also many paramilitary groups operating in this region.[2] Due to the high amounts of violence in the region the Australian Foreign Office advises against travelling to Antioquia. This travel warning was issued in December of 2010 [3]

El Poblado neighborhood in Medellín

Contents

Regions

Cities

Medellín - Considered by many as the best city in Colombia. Medellín is home to the famous yearly "Flower Festival" in August and the first (and still only) metro system in the country: "Metro de Medellín". Home City of Juanes, Fernando Botero and René Higuita. The metropolitan area is surrounded by many small towns which have become virtual suburbs of the city. These include Envigado, Itaguí, Sabaneta and Caldas (south); Bello, Copacabana and Girardota (north). The spread of the city east and west is limited by topography.

Granada is a town at East of Antioquia. It's a zone of water, cool weather, but hot people. In this place you can say "Home, sweet home". It was the cradle of bishop Tiberio de J. Salazar y Herrera.

Marinilla, Rionegro, Guarne and La Ceja these are small towns east of Medellín and a popular day trip destination.

Jardín is a beautiful little town 2 hours south of Medellín, with incredible tourist attractions: a gorgeous main plaza, distinctive local architecture amd many country-side activities. Look for the locally produced rainbow trout and coffee to please your senses.

Antonio Roldán Betancourt (IATA: APO; ICAO: SKLC), Formerly Los Cedros. Located in the municipality of Carepa. Serves Apartadó and the Urabá region in the Atlantic side of the department. It is also the heart of the banana growing region. Four airlines connect this airport to Medellín EOH. [6]

Regional Airports
All located in the North of the department, area with heavy gold mining. Flights originate mostly from Olaya Herrera Airport in Medellín.

Get around

In Medellín you can get around by taxi bus or metro. The metro runs largely along the north-south axis of the city.

By cable car

Antioquia is mountainous hence Cable Cars have sprawled in the last 2 decades and are becoming popular for both commuting and tourist transportation. You can ride the Metrocables in Medellín which are additional lines of the Metro system [10] or the countryside cable-cars in many small towns in Antioquia : Jardín, Jericó, Sopetrán, San Andrés de Cuerquia, etc.

See

Mountains: The Andes are majestic in Antioquia

also by rental cars and trucks.

Itineraries

San Jeronimo, Sopetran and Santa Fe de Antioquia - Going north-west from downtown Medellín, you arrive at the longest and newest South American tunnel: 4.7 km. After you pass through that tunnel, you start descending mountains and a few minutes later, you are in San Jeronimo, Antioquia. Cruise it on motorcycle, the fun way, don't be scared because its an awesome experience! Weather here is 25 degrees during the whole year. Very close you will find Sopetran, the Antioquias fruits lovely capital. Finally, you get to Santa Fe de Antioquia, one of the five colonial destinations in Colombia, and the way to the Caribbean. This road will take you to Turbo and to the Panama frontier line - the road is more safe now and is not frequented by guerrillas and paramilitaries anymore.